Induction of mutation in the cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum: A strain-specific property

Abstract

Mutations with respect to the sporulating character in the cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum (AdS and AdB strains) were induced after treatment with acriflavin, acridine organge 9-aminoacridine, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, ethyl methanesulfonate, hydroxylamine, nitrous acid, low pH (pH 4.2) and elevated temperature (65±1 °C). Exposure to higher temperature was most effective in inducing nonsporulating mutants in both strains. Uptake of acridine dyes, inactivation and mutability with respect to sporulation of two strains of cyanobacterium A. doliolum revealed that the mutagen uptake could be directly correlated with the frequency of induced mutations but that survival and mutability are independent strain-specific properties. © 1992, Folia Microbiologica. All rights reserved.